Choosing a website development company in usa can be a difficult process, especially if you don’t know what to look for or what questions to ask. It can be even more challenging when you’re considering hiring an offshore team, but there are plenty of benefits to doing so that may convince you it’s the right move to make. In order to help you make the best choice, we’ve created this guide on how to choose a web development company for your business.
Web development company experience
When looking for a web development company, seek out one that has experience working with other small businesses. Someone who is established in your industry can provide you with valuable knowledge and expertise on all aspects of what it takes to run an online business successfully.
Trust in the web development company
Web development companies are in high demand, so you want to find one that will be able to effectively meet your needs and offer value. When it comes time to choose a company, ensure that they have your best interests at heart. For example, ask them what they believe are their strengths and weaknesses when it comes to website development services. Their response should be thought-provoking, and will allow you assess whether or not they are trustworthy.
Contact references
Having friends or business acquaintances who have worked with web developers in the past can be really helpful. Talk to them about your business needs and get their recommendations on who would be best suited for your project. It’s also worth checking sites like Yelp and Local, which allow people to post reviews of businesses and rate them based on personal experience. Other options include LinkedIn and Google+. These review sites are especially useful when it comes to web development companies because they often have large networks of professionals that are more than willing to share their thoughts.
The right contact person at the web development company
At least during your first meetings with prospective companies, it’s essential that you’re in touch with someone who can give you an accurate idea of what it would take to build your website. Never be afraid to contact them by phone—and ask lots of questions.
Technical skills and standards
Before you hire a web development company, it’s important to know their level of technical skill. If they use outdated code or are unfamiliar with industry best practices, you could run into problems in terms of scalability, security and even SEO. If you’re trying to determine if your potential development partner is up-to-date on all things tech, here are some questions you can ask them
Fee structure and payment terms
If you’re like most business owners, then you’ll want to make sure that your web development company is comfortable with your preferred payment terms and fee structure. Make sure that they can accommodate terms such as an hourly fee, project-based payment or even retainers. Ensure they understand your preference and are willing to work within it.
Proof of concept (POC)
If you already have some development under your belt, think about building out a proof of concept (POC). A POC gives you an opportunity to test potential technologies and techniques in one or two projects. This can be invaluable when it comes time to make final decisions about what to use, and is especially valuable if you are considering open source options. Having that experience is powerful when talking with prospective vendors because you will already have some ideas about what works, why it works and what trade-offs exist among various alternatives.
Outsourcing or in-house development?
It’s an important question when it comes to web development: will you handle all aspects of your website in-house, or is it better to outsource some tasks? Both options have their benefits, but before you make your decision, consider these factors.
Has the web development company you are looking into been around for at least 5 years?
If you can’t answer yes to that question, move on. Nothing is more important than trust, and 5 years is nothing in today’s online world. It may sound trite but true: If they haven’t been around long enough to get solid reviews from past clients (and avoid becoming new ones), then stay away. Look for web development companies with at least 5 years under their belt—that way you know they aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.
Guarantees and clauses with fixed prices
If you’re paying your web development company by fixed prices, then be sure that there is some kind of penalty or guarantee built into your contract. You want to pay on an hourly basis, but you should also have clauses that limit their hours or penalize them if they go over budget. Think about adding specific timelines, limits and quality checks so that your team knows when they need to stop working and what they need to deliver.